In search of Chocolate Lilies…

I hiked up Santa Cruz trail (from Upper Oso campground) to look for Chocolate lilies. At this time last year they were almost over, but this year they haven’t even started. I did find many small shoots which I believe will become chocolate lilies in a week or two.
I don’t have enough data on when this lily’s blooming pattern to be sure, but I’m guessing that the blooming has been delayed because the plant could not sprout until the rains came.

I also saw my first blue dick of the year on the trails. This one I am sure about. It should have started blooming back in January, but here we are, two months later with the first bloom this year.

Then round a corner I found an Ojai Fritillary in full bloom. It’s about the right time for it to do so too.
As is often the case, beside the Fritillary I found the basal leaves of a rein orchid. It won’t bloom until June or so, but it’s nice to see a basal leaf.